AUGUSTA – The Legislature's Environment and Natural Resources Committee unanimously advanced two bills with bipartisan support on Wednesday sponsored by Rep. Nina Milliken, D-Blue Hill, that would allow for the establishment of quasi-municipal entities to take over two local dams that are in the process of being abandoned, which will preserve Toddy Pond and Alamoosook Lake.
LD 531 creates the Toddy Pond Watershed Management District to manage the dam on Toddy Pond, subject to local approval at a referendum by the voters of Orland, Penobscot, Blue Hill or Surry. Similarly, LD 529 creates the Alamoosook Lake Watershed Management District to manage the dam on Alamoosook Lake, subject to approval by voters in Orland. These watershed districts, if approved by voters, would provide for local control by impacted towns and shorefront property owners.
“There would be real harm that would befall the towns that border Toddy Pond and Alamoosook Lake should this effort fail and should these dams be abandoned and the waters released,” said Milliken. “These bodies of water hold enormous significance both economically and socially to our communities. Many people come locally and from across the country to recreate on these ponds. They provide incredible opportunities to swim, fish, boat, bird watch, and otherwise enjoy the wildlife and nature of this beautiful part of our state. There would also be an enormous impact to waterfront property values and likely all residents’ tax bills.”
Costs for the management of each district are a matter of local decision, but the bill language allows for 50% of costs to be covered by a municipality and for the other 50% to be divided amongst waterfront property owners based on the shoreline frontage of each property.
These measures are just two bills in a slate of dam-related legislation sponsored by Milliken that will allow for a more functional dam abandonment process statewide — as there are an increasing number of dams in disrepair.
The Town of Surry, members of the Orland Select Board, members of the Blue Hill Select Board, the Select Board Chairman of the Town of Penobscot, the Alamoosook Lake Association, the Toddy Pond Association, the Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust, Rep. Steven Bishop of Bucksport and many local residents testified in support of the bills.
“The bill before you today seeks to provide the most viable option for the impacted communities to prevent two critically important water bodies from being drained,” said Orland Selectman Gina Bushong. “The lakes have been in place for over 100 years and serve as an important environment for nesting loons and eagles as well as providing critical spawning habitat for migratory fish. The presence of the lakes has a significant economic impact to the region as well. In a recent survey conducted of area businesses, 93% of those that responded said the loss of the lakes would negatively impact their business. Further, nine businesses said they would be likely or somewhat likely to close their business if the lakes were drained. The impact on property tax revenue for the towns is significant. The town of Orland alone projects that we would sustain a loss of roughly $500,000 in revenue from the approximately $4 million in property taxes collected. This is a substantial loss for a small town like ours and would force us to either drastically cut services or raise taxes.”
“The Town of Surry has 145 dwellings on Toddy Pond, both year-round and seasonal. With a drop in water level of eight feet in Toddy Pond, the effects would be economically devastating for these residents and for all residents who pay property taxes to the Town,” testified Surry Select Board Chair Mary Allen. “Our Town of 1,700 residents operates on a budget of about $2.2 million for all non-educational functions. Much of that comes from residential property owners since Surry has only a few businesses. We estimate that overall tax revenue to the Town would decrease by up to $400,000 because of a loss in value of the properties on Toddy Pond. This deficit would thus be borne by all residents of Surry.”
After receiving unanimous, bipartisan approval in committee, the bills face votes in the full House and Senate in the coming weeks.
Milliken is serving her second term in the Maine House of Representatives and represents Blue Hill, Brooksville, Castine, Sedgwick, Surry and Trenton. She serves on the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Milliken) | 305-965-2744